Man sentenced to 75 years for molesting adopted sons

Man sentenced to 75 years for molesting adopted sons

A Bakersfield business owner convicted of molesting three boys he adopted was sentenced Wednesday to 75 years to life in prison.

John Krueger was accused of molesting the three boys in December 2005, and charged in April 2006.

The boy’s new families said it’s been a long, emotional ordeal, and they are glad to know Krueger will be behind bars.

Krueger was the former owner of the Quality Inn and had adopted three Ukrainian boys, ages 8, 9, and 11.

After a family friend accused Krueger of molestation back in 2005, police began an investigation.

The District Attorney’s Office said they found that Krueger had been repeatedly molesting the boys.

After emotional pleas from the guardians of the three boys, the judge made his ruling.

Krueger is sentenced to 15 years to life on five different counts of molestation, which adds up to more than 75 years to life.

Krueger’s attorney said he didn’t get a fair trial because prosecutors brought up past allegations of child molestation, none of which led to a conviction.

"I think that's cruel and unusual punishment, many defense lawyers do, for him, at 53 years old,” said Krueger’s attorney George Woodworth. “This amounts to a life sentence.”

“On one hand you think he is 53 years old and has to serve 75 years to life, and on the other hand you have to look at the crime he has committed,” said Deputy D.A. John Lua. “He molested these children numerous times, it wasn't on single occurrence, it was ongoing.”

Krueger’s attorney said they he will appeal the 75 year sentence on the basis that it’s cruel and unusual punishment.